Bugatti’s V-16 Engine Could Reach 9500 RPM According to Calculations

Sneak Peek: New Chiron Successor’s Engine Promises Thrilling Performance

While perusing a typically superb video from Engineering Explained about the latest Bugatti V-16, I made an intriguing realization. By utilizing some mathematical calculations, my own auditory senses, and a sine-wave generator, I could approximate the incredible engine’s impressive revolutions per minute. And the result? Quite extraordinary.Bugatti has been tight-lipped about the specifics of their new V-16, but thanks to the investigative efforts of Engineering Explained and photos shared on Facebook by Bugatti Rimac CEO Mate Rimac we have gained insight into some of the engine’s insane specifications. A snippet from a teaser released by Bugatti also showcases audio that appears to capture the engine in action as it shifts through the gears.

Let’s delve into a somewhat imprecise field of study. After reviewing the footage, it appears that the primary frequency of the engine’s exhaust noise reaches a maximum of roughly 1275 hertz. To obtain an exact measurement, one would need a spectrum analyzer; however, I calculated this number by comparing the sound to a pure tone generated by a sine-wave generator and using my own auditory abilities. By adjusting the tone from the sine-wave generator to match the sound in the video, I arrived at an approximate figure.

By using basic mathematical calculations, one can determine the primary sound frequency emitted by a vehicle’s exhaust. To begin, take the engine speed measured in revolutions per minute (RPM) and divide it by 60 to obtain a value in hertz (Hz). This value represents the number of revs per second the engine is producing. Since a four-stroke engine produces only two power strokes for every rotation of the crankshaft, the resulting number should be multiplied by half of the total number of cylinders. So, for a four-cylinder engine running at 5,000 RPM, the equation would be (5,000/60) x 2, equating to a frequency of 166 Hz.

Calculating in reverse from 1,275 hZ without precise information on the engine’s speed, one must divide by 8, representing half of the 16 cylinders, and then multiply by 60 to convert the measurement from revolutions per second to revolutions per minute. This results in a total of 9,562.5 RPM.

It can be challenging to accurately determine the precise highest dominant exhaust pitch based on the video. This also assumes that the audio recording captures the engine revving to its maximum capacity, which may not be the case. However, if the sound is a reliable representation – and there is no valid evidence to suggest otherwise – we can estimate that it falls in the range of 9,500-9,600 rpm.

At times, car manufacturers have the ability to highlight different exhaust tones by skillfully adjusting their manifolds. The outcome of this is a range of tones that may be just as loud or even louder than the main tone. These additional tones are known as harmonics. However, it does not seem that Bugatti has applied this technique in their latest model. Instead, there is one distinct tone that stands out amongst the others, ringing at approximately 1,275 hZ.

Is it possible for me to have absolute confidence? Certainly not. However, I am nearly entirely certain. One thing that is absolutely indisputable is that Bugatti’s V-16 will be unparalleled in every way.